}}{{TOCnestright}}The '''Louisiana State Senate''' is the [[upper house]] of the [[Louisiana State Legislature]]. 39 members serve as state senators and are elected to [[Length of terms of state senators|four-year terms]] in the State Senate. The senate meets at the State Capitol in [[Sunshinereview:Baton Rouge, Louisiana|Baton Rouge]]. Each member represents an average of [[Population represented by state legislators| 116,240 residents]], as of the 2010 Census.<ref>[http://2010.census.gov/news/pdf/apport2010_table4.pdf Population in 2010 of the American states]</ref> After the 2000 Census, each member represented [[Population represented by state legislators| 114,589 residents]].<ref>[http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t2/tables/tab01.pdf Population in 2000 of the American states]</ref>

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}}{{TOCnestright}}The '''Louisiana State Senate''' is the [[upper house]] of the [[Louisiana State Legislature]]. 39 members serve as state senators and are elected to [[Length of terms of state senators|four-year terms]] in the State Senate.<ref name=limits>[http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/LegisInfo.aspx ''legis.la.gov'', "About the Legislature," accessed December 16, 2013]</ref> The senate meets at the State Capitol in [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana|Baton Rouge]]. Each member represents an average of [[Population represented by state legislators| 116,240 residents]], as of the 2010 Census.<ref>[http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-01.pdf Population in 2010 of the American states, accessed November 22, 2013]</ref> After the 2000 Census, each member represented [[Population represented by state legislators| 114,589 residents]].<ref>[http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t2/tables/tab01.pdf Population in 2000 of the American states, Accessed November 27, 2013]</ref>

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As of December 2012, [[Louisiana]] is one of 24 Republican [[state government trifectas]].

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{{State trifecta status|state=Louisiana|control=Republican}}

==Sessions==

==Sessions==

[[Article III, Louisiana Constitution| Article III of the Louisiana Constitution]] establishes when the [[Louisiana State Legislature]], of which the Senate is a part, is to be in session. Section 2 of Article III states that, in even-numbered years, the Legislature shall convene on the last Monday in March and meet for no more than sixty legislative days during a period of eighty-five calendar days. In odd-numbered years, the Legislature is to convene on the last Monday in April and meet for no more than forty-five legislative days during a period of sixty calendar days. During regular sessions in odd-numbered years, the Legislature can only consider measures regarding the state budget, revenues, and appropriations.

[[Article III, Louisiana Constitution| Article III of the Louisiana Constitution]] establishes when the [[Louisiana State Legislature]], of which the Senate is a part, is to be in session. Section 2 of Article III states that, in even-numbered years, the Legislature shall convene on the last Monday in March and meet for no more than sixty legislative days during a period of eighty-five calendar days. In odd-numbered years, the Legislature is to convene on the last Monday in April and meet for no more than forty-five legislative days during a period of sixty calendar days. During regular sessions in odd-numbered years, the Legislature can only consider measures regarding the state budget, revenues, and appropriations.

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Section 2 of Article III also authorizes the [[Governor of Louisiana]] to call an emergency session without prior notice in the event of a public emergency.

Section 2 of Article III also authorizes the [[Governor of Louisiana]] to call an emergency session without prior notice in the event of a public emergency.

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===2014===

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::''See also: [[Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions]]''

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In 2014, the Legislature is projected to be in session from March 10 through June 5.

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===2013===

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::''See also: [[Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions]]''

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In 2013, the Legislature was in session from April 8 through June 6.

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===Major issues===

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Major issues during the 2013 legislative session included the state budget, an overhaul of public education, increasing the retirement age of public workers, gun control, and abortion.<ref>[http://www.wwltv.com/news/local/148585255.html ''wwltv.com'', "A look at major issues at session's halfway point," April 24, 2013]</ref>

Primary elections for the office of [[Louisiana State Senate|Louisiana's state senators]] were held in [[Louisiana]] on October 22, 2011, with necessary runoffs on [[State legislative elections, 2011|November 19, 2011]].

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Primary elections for Louisiana's state senators were held in [[Louisiana]] on October 22, 2011, with necessary runoffs on [[State legislative elections, 2011|November 19, 2011]].

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During the 2011 election, the total contributions to Senate candidates was $13,611,411. The top 10 contributors were:<ref>[http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/state_candidates.phtml?s=LA&y=2011&f=S ''Follow the Money'', "Louisiana 2011 Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013]</ref>

As of the 2000 Census, each of Louisiana's 39 state senators represents an average population of [[Population represented by state legislators|1114,589 people]]. In 2007, the candidates for state senate raised a total of $18,266,324 in campaign contributions.

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As of the 2000 Census, each of Louisiana's 39 state senators represents an average population of [[Population represented by state legislators|114,589 people]]. In 2007, the candidates for state senate raised a total of $18,266,324 in campaign contributions.

Elections for the office of Louisiana State Senate consisted of a primary election on October 4, 2003, and a general election on November 15, 2003.

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During the 2003 election, the total contributions to Senate candidates was $13,648,458. The top 10 contributors were:<ref>[http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/state_candidates.phtml?s=LA&y=2003&f=S ''Follow the Money'', "Louisiana 2003 Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013]</ref>

Elections for the office of Louisiana State Senate consisted of a general election on October 23, 1999.

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During the 1999 election, the total contributions to Senate candidates was $12,374,378. The top 10 contributors were:<ref>[http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/state_candidates.phtml?s=LA&y=1999&f=S ''Follow the Money'', "Louisiana 1999 Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013]</ref>

In order to run for office, the following qualifications are in place:

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In order to run for office, the following qualifications are in place:<ref>[http://www.sos.la.gov/ElectionsAndVoting/BecomeACandidate/QualifyForAnElection/Pages/default.aspx ''Louisiana Secretary of State'', "Qualify for an Election," accessed December 16, 2013]</ref>

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* Must be 18 years of age or older<ref name="require">[http://www.sos.louisiana.gov/Portals/0/elections/pdf/Z-BB-Qualifications.pdf ''Louisiana Secretary of State'' "Candidate Qualifications"]</ref>.

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* Must be 18 years of age or older.

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* Must be a resident of the district they seek to hold office to for a minimum of two years<ref name="require" />.

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* Must be a resident of the district they seek to hold office to for a minimum of two years.

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* Must not have served more than two and one half terms previously in office. This is for any candidate who has held office in the past after January 8, 1996<ref name="qualify" />.

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* Must not have served more than two and one half terms previously in office. This is for any candidate who has held office in the past after January 8, 1996.

* Have no outstanding fines with the [[Louisiana Ethics Administration Program]].

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* Pay a $225 filing fee with the Clerk of Court in the parish they reside in or collect 400 signatures<ref name="fees" />.

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* Pay a $225 filing fee with the Clerk of Court in the parish they reside in or collect 400 signatures.

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* If running as a [[Republican Party|Republican]] or [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], pay an additional $112.50 filing fee with the state and/or parish executive committee of their party<ref name="fees">[http://www.sos.louisiana.gov/Portals/0/elections/pdf/FEES.pdf ''Louisiana Secretary of State'' "Filing Fees"]</ref>.

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* If running as a [[Republican Party|Republican]] or [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], pay an additional $112.50 filing fee with the state and/or parish executive committee of their party.

If there is a vacancy in the Senate, the vacant seat must be filled by a special election. An election is required if there is six months or more left in the unexpired term. The Senate President must call for an election no later than 10 days after the vacancy happened. The Senate President must determine the dates for the election along with all filing deadlines. The person elected to the seat serves for the remainder of the unexpired term<ref>[http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=81667 ''Louisiana Legislature'' "Louisiana Election Code"](Referenced Statute 18:601, Louisiana Statutes)</ref>.

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If there is a vacancy in the senate, the vacant seat must be filled by a special election. An election is required if there is six months or more left in the unexpired term. The Senate President must call for an election no later than 10 days after the vacancy happened. The Senate President must determine the dates for the election along with all filing deadlines. The person elected to the seat serves for the remainder of the unexpired term.<ref>[http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=81667 ''Louisiana Legislature'', "Louisiana Election Code," accessed December 16, 2013](Referenced Statute 18:601, Louisiana Statutes)</ref>

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==Term limits==

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===Term limits===

:: ''See also: [[State legislatures with term limits]]''

:: ''See also: [[State legislatures with term limits]]''

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The [[Louisiana State Legislature|Louisiana legislature]] is one of [[state legislatures with term limits|15 state legislatures with term limits]]. Of the 15 states, it is the only state where [[term limits]] were imposed by the state's legislators, rather than through the [[ballot initiative]] process. Under Louisiana's term limits, state senators can serve no more than three 4-year terms in the senate.<ref>[http://www.legis.state.la.us/ Louisiana term constraints] </ref>

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The [[Louisiana State Legislature|Louisiana legislature]] is one of [[state legislatures with term limits|15 state legislatures with term limits]]. Of the 15 states, it is the only state where [[term limits]] were imposed by the state's legislators, rather than through the [[ballot initiative]] process. Under Louisiana's term limits, state senators can serve no more than three 4-year terms in the senate.<ref name=limits/>

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The state's term limits law was enacted in 1995. The first year that the [[term limits]] enacted in 1995 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was in 2007.<ref>[http://www.termlimits.org/content.asp?pl=18&sl=19&contentid=19 State legislative term limits]</ref>

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The state's term limits law was enacted in 1995. The first year that the [[term limits]] enacted in 1995 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was in 2007.

==Redistricting==

==Redistricting==

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:: ''See also: [[Partisan composition of state senates]]''

:: ''See also: [[Partisan composition of state senates]]''

{{lasenatepartisan}}

{{lasenatepartisan}}

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The chart below shows the partisan composition of the Louisiana State Senate from 1992-2013.<br>

As of 2012, members of the Louisiana legislature are paid $16,800/year. Additionally, legislators receive $6,000/year for expenses and $152/day per diem tied to the federal rate.<ref>[http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=22490 ''National Conference of State Legislatures'', "2011 Legislator Compensation Data"]</ref>

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As of 2013, members of the Louisiana legislature are paid $16,800/year. Additionally, legislators receive $6,000/year for expenses and $149/day per diem tied to the federal rate.<ref>[http://www.ncsl.org/legislatures-elections/legisdata/2012-ncsl-legislator-compensation-data.aspx ''NCSL.org'', "2012 State Legislator Compensation and Per Diem Table," accessed March 18, 2013]</ref>

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The $16,800/year that Louisiana legislators are paid as of 2011 is the same as they were paid during legislative sessions in 2007. Per diem has increased from $138/day in 2007 to $152/day in 2011.<ref>[http://www.empirecenter.org/html/legislative_salaries.cfm ''Empire Center'', "Legislative Salaries Per State as of 2007"]</ref>

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====Pension====

====Pension====

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Louisiana legislators assume office at noon on the second Monday in January after their election.

Louisiana legislators assume office at noon on the second Monday in January after their election.

From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Louisiana State Senate for 19 years while the Republicans were the majority for three years. The Louisiana State Senate is 1 of 16 state senates that was Democratic for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. The final three years of the study depicted a shift in the Louisiana senate with all three years being Republican [[trifectas]].

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Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.

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Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states have divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.

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The chart below shows the partisan composition of the [[Governor of Louisiana|Office of the Governor of Louisiana]], the [[Louisiana State Senate]] and the [[Louisiana House of Representatives]] from 1992-2013.

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[[File:Partisan composition of Louisiana state government(1992-2013).PNG]]

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====SQLI and partisanship====

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The chart below depicts the partisanship of the Kentucky state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. Louisiana has had three periods of trifectas, two Democratic trifectas (1992-1995 and 2004-2007) and one Republican trifecta (2011-2013). Louisiana had its longest period of divided government between 1996 and 2003. For all but two years of the study, Louisiana has ranked in the bottom-10 in the SQLI ranking and only left the bottom-10 in the last two years of the study, 2011 and 2012. The state’s lowest ranking came in 1993 and 1994 under a Democratic trifecta. Its highest ranking (36th) came in 2012 under a Republican trifecta.

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*SQLI average with Democratic trifecta: 46.25

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*SQLI average with Republican trifecta: 38.00

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*SQLI average with divided government: 45.73

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[[File:Louisiana SQLI visualization.PNG|thumb|center|1000px|Chart displaying the partisanship of Louisiana government from 1992-2013 and the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI).]]

Sessions

Article III of the Louisiana Constitution establishes when the Louisiana State Legislature, of which the Senate is a part, is to be in session. Section 2 of Article III states that, in even-numbered years, the Legislature shall convene on the last Monday in March and meet for no more than sixty legislative days during a period of eighty-five calendar days. In odd-numbered years, the Legislature is to convene on the last Monday in April and meet for no more than forty-five legislative days during a period of sixty calendar days. During regular sessions in odd-numbered years, the Legislature can only consider measures regarding the state budget, revenues, and appropriations.

Section 2 of Article III also allows the Legislature to be called into a special session by the Governor of Louisiana or by a majority of the members of each legislative house. During special sessions, the Legislature can only legislate on matters related to the proclaimed purposes of the session.

Section 2 of Article III also authorizes the Governor of Louisiana to call an emergency session without prior notice in the event of a public emergency.

Elections

Louisiana is one of only four states that hold state elections in odd-numbered years. Clerk of the Louisiana House Alfred "Butch Speer explains why:

For scores of years we conducted our party primaries in the winter of the odd numbered years, with any necessary 2d primary held in January. Because Republican voter registration was so miniscule from 1877 until 1980, the general elections were mere irritants to the Democrat primary victor. Once we scrapped the partisan primary system [1975] we set the entire system up to run in the fall of the odd numbered year, our traditional election season.[8]

2007

As of the 2000 Census, each of Louisiana's 39 state senators represents an average population of 114,589 people. In 2007, the candidates for state senate raised a total of $18,266,324 in campaign contributions.

Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in the senate, the vacant seat must be filled by a special election. An election is required if there is six months or more left in the unexpired term. The Senate President must call for an election no later than 10 days after the vacancy happened. The Senate President must determine the dates for the election along with all filing deadlines. The person elected to the seat serves for the remainder of the unexpired term.[14]

Redistricting

In Louisiana, the state legislature has control over the redistricting process. The redistricted maps are introduced as bills in the Senate and the House, and can be vetoed by the governor for any reason. Louisiana faces special scrutiny under the Voting Rights Act as a state with a history of using district lines as tools of racial discrimination, so all maps must be reviewed and preapproved by the U.S. Department of Justice before use.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Louisiana had the third-slowest growth rate of any state in the nation between 2000 and 2010. only Rhode island and Michigan experienced smaller positive population gains during this time period (notably, Michigan experienced an overall decrease in population). Louisiana grew 1.4 percent from 2000 to 2010, with a total population rise from 4.47 million in 2000 to 4.53 million in 2010. Notably the South as a region experienced overall growth of 14.29 percent.[15][16] Hurricane Katrina's impact caused enough people to move out of state to cost Louisiana a Congressional District. The population shifts also substantially affected state legislative districts, including the largely African-American city of New Orleans.[17]

During the redistricting process, Louisiana legislators faced a compressed timeline compared to other states. The odd year elections meant that the 2011 elections in the fall would need districts soon enough to get clearance from the Department of Justice per the Voting Rights Act, allow candidates to file in the appropriate districts, and leave time for the Blanket primary and the general election to happen in early November 2011.

The State Senate added two new majority-minority district for the 2011 elections, but took away seats from the New Orleans area overall, reflecting the loss of population in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The new Senate map has 11 majority-minority districts.

Senators

Partisan composition

The chart below shows the partisan composition of the Louisiana State Senate from 1992-2013.

Leadership

The President and President Pro Tempore of the Senate are elected by the full body, needing at least 20 votes for confirmation. The President is the presiding officer of the body, whose duties include preserving order, calling votes, appointing/removing members of each Senate and conference committee, and approving all expenditures of the Senate. In the absence of the President, the President Pro Tempore assumes all duties of the position.[18]

Standing Senate Committees

There are a total of seventeen standing committees in the Louisiana Senate. These committees are comprised of seven members with the exception of two committees: Finance Committee and Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee, have eleven each. It is under the discretion of the Senate President to appoint and remove members of a committee.

History

Partisan balance 1992-2013

From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Louisiana State Senate for 19 years while the Republicans were the majority for three years. The Louisiana State Senate is 1 of 16 state senates that was Democratic for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. The final three years of the study depicted a shift in the Louisiana senate with all three years being Republican trifectas.

Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.

Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states have divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.

SQLI and partisanship

The chart below depicts the partisanship of the Kentucky state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. Louisiana has had three periods of trifectas, two Democratic trifectas (1992-1995 and 2004-2007) and one Republican trifecta (2011-2013). Louisiana had its longest period of divided government between 1996 and 2003. For all but two years of the study, Louisiana has ranked in the bottom-10 in the SQLI ranking and only left the bottom-10 in the last two years of the study, 2011 and 2012. The state’s lowest ranking came in 1993 and 1994 under a Democratic trifecta. Its highest ranking (36th) came in 2012 under a Republican trifecta.

SQLI average with Democratic trifecta: 46.25

SQLI average with Republican trifecta: 38.00

SQLI average with divided government: 45.73

Chart displaying the partisanship of Louisiana government from 1992-2013 and the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI).